Renowned Yakshagana artiste Pervodi Narayan Bhat passes away at 96

Team Udayavani, Oct 31, 2023, 5:40 PM IST

Puttur: Renowned Yakshagana artiste Pervodi Narayan Bhat, widely known as ‘Papanna Bhatru’, breathed his last on Tuesday, October 31, at a private hospital in Puttur. He was 96 years old. The veteran artiste was a resident of Nuji, Puttur Balnadu.

He had appeared as an artiste in several Melas, including the famous Dharmasthala Mela.

Pervodi Narayan Bhat had endeared himself to audiences with his comedic prowess in Yakshagana, a traditional folk art form of Karnataka. His exceptional talent and portrayal of characters earned him widespread recognition, particularly for his role as ‘Papanna’ in the ‘Papanna Vijaya Gunasundari’ prasanga.

Among Bhat’s notable contributions is his imaginative approach to the character of ‘Bahuka’ in the Punar Swayamvar prasanga.

Throughout his career, Peruodi demonstrated a remarkable level of originality in his portrayal of various mythological characters, distinguishing him as a unique and influential figure in the world of Yakshagana.

The late artist’s legacy extends beyond his individual performances; he played a crucial role in elevating the stature and recognition of comic characters within Yakshagana.